Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-06-16

IAaooin ia 1854.

1E-aa@H==~
But now a new actor came forward
ON the political stage In central illlnoiss
or rather. an old fayasite reappeaved.
This was Abraham lincoln, Since his
return, to Springfield from his single
term ii service iii Congress. lsaT TO
lsIa, though by no means entirely
withdrawn from politics, his active
work had been greatly diminished
His congressional life had largely in
creased the horizon Of his observation,
Perhaps il had also extended the bounds
of his ambition, He had doubtless dis
covered many Of his own defects. and
not unlikely had diligently sought to
remedy them. The period following
had for him been Years of work. study
and reflection, His profession of law
had become y deeper science and a
higher responsibility. His practice.
receiving his undivided attention,
brought him more important and more
remuneratise cases. Losing nothing
of his genial humor, his character took
on the dignity of a graver manhood.
he was still the center and the idol of
every social group he encountered.
whether on the street or in the parlor.
Serene and huoyant Of temper, cordial
and winning of language. charitable
and tolerant of opinion. his very pres
ence diffused a glow of confidence and
kindness. Wherever he went he left
an overwhelming ripple of smiles. jests
and laughter. His radiant good-fellow-
ship was beloved and sought alike by
political opponents and partisan friends.
His sturdy and delicate integrity. re-
cognized far and wide. had long since
o him the blunt but hearty sohriquet
of Honest Old Abe. But it became
noticeable that of late years he was
less among the crowd and more in the
solitude of his office or mis- study, and
that he seemed Yer in haste to leave
the eager circle he was entertaining.
1t was in the midsummer of 1854 t.
we mud him reappearing on the SIP,
in central Illinois. The rural popnfas
ton always welcomed his oratory, made
up of ready wit, apt illustration. SIM
pie statement. forcible logic. His die
ton was familiar 10 the ear. his stories
were racy TO the soil. He never lacked
for invitations to address the public.
His first speeches on the new and all
absorbing topic We're made in the
neighboring towns, and in the counties
adjoining his own. Toward the end of
August the candidates for congress in
that district were, in western phrase,
sson the track" Yates. afterwards one
OF the a1nous '.war governors" sought
a reelection as a whig. Harris. as a
Douglas-democrat, strove to supplant
him. Local politics became active,
and Lincoln was sent for in all direc-
tons to address the people. When he
went, however, he distinctly announced
that he did not purpose to take up his
time with this personal and congress
sional controversy. His intention was
to discuss the principles of the Nebraska
bill.
Once launched upon this theme men
were surprised to find him imbued with
a new and unwonted seriousness. They
heard from his lips fewer anecdotes and
nor history. Careless listeners who
came to laugh at his jokes sat SPELL
bound by the strong current of his
reasoning and the flashes of his earnest
eloquence, and were lifted up by the
range and tenor of his argument into q
fresher and purer political atmosphere.
-Nicofay and Hay, in the Century.